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Lawmakers decry shackling juveniles

The practice of shackling and routinely strip-searching juvenile detainees is coming under fire in Annapolis. Legislation under consideration in both the House and Senate puts limits on those widespread practices. Legislators are calling for a significant policy change, but the secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services said what they have in mind is dangerous.

The practice of shackling and routinely strip-searching juvenile detainees is coming under fire in Annapolis. Legislation under consideration in both the House and Senate puts limits on those widespread practices. Legislators are calling for a significant policy change, but the secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services said what they have in mind is dangerous.

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Updated: 5:34 PM EDT Mar 24, 2016

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WEBVTT SOME LEGISLATORS ARE CALLING FOR SIGNIFICANT POLICY CHANGES. >> THE DANGEROUS POLICY OF HANDCUFFING, SHACKLING, AND STRIP SEARCHING EVERY CHILD IN ITS CUSTODY IS NOT ONLY DISTURBING ON THE HUMAN LEVEL, THAT IS HINDERING THE REHABILITATION OF CHILDREN AND ITS CUSTODY. >> THE LEGISLATION PROHIBITS THE SHACKLING AND STRIP SEARCHING UNLESS DEEMED NECESSARY BY THE SUPERINTENDENT. IT PROHIBITS RESTRAINTS ON TEENS IN THE THIRD TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY. >> IT WILL HINDER OUR ABILI -- IT IS VERY REACTIVE AND WE NEED TO BE PROACTIVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE RISKS OF A CERTAIN TIME AND WE NEED TO MITIGATE THOSE RISKS THROUGH PROCEDURES. >> AGENCIES POINT OUT THAT THE ENVIRONMENT IS UNPREDICTABLE. >> WHEN YOU HAVE EARNED GOOD BEHAVIOR AND YOU GET TO SEE YOUR PARENTS OR LOV ONES, WHY CAN'T YOU RECEIVE A PATDOWN AND A WANT SEARCH AND WHY DO THEY HAVE TO BE SHACKLED TO GO HOME. >> ON ONE OCCASION A CHILD WAS SHACKLED AND A DENTIST CHAIR. THE REPORT ALSO DETAILS THE LEVEL OF VIOLENCE THAT TAKES PLACE IN EACH FACILITY. >> WHAT IS MORE TRAUMATIZING? SEEING KIDS SHANKED, STAFF BEING VICTIMIZED? THAT IS VERY TRAUMATIZING. WE HAVE TO KEEP ANYBODY SAFE. >> ACCORDING TO ONE AGENCY OFFICIAL, THE PROVISION IN THE BILL THAT DEALS WITH PREGNANT TEENAGERS WEAKENS CURRENT LAW.

Lawmakers decry shackling juveniles

The practice of shackling and routinely strip-searching juvenile detainees is coming under fire in Annapolis. Legislation under consideration in both the House and Senate puts limits on those widespread practices. Legislators are calling for a significant policy change, but the secretary of the Department of Juvenile Services said what they have in mind is dangerous.